What’s the Best Treatment for a Child’s Broken Bone?

What’s the Best Treatment for a Child’s Broken Bone?

TUESDAY, Jan. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Fiberglass and plaster casts are widely used to treat broken bones in kids, but they have drawbacks compared with other methods such as braces and splints, experts say.

Doctors and patients should review the available options, considering not only treatment of the fracture, but also patient comfort and compliance as well as the burden on the family, according to a review article in the January issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Children “may be eager to get a cast, choosing a color that fits their personality,” said lead author Dr. Eric Shirley, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia.

“However, the thrill soon wears off when they learn that they will be unable to play, swim or engage in high-impact activities while wearing a cast. What’s more, complications like itching, blisters or dermatitis associated with cast management can lead to added frustration,” he said in a journal news release.

A cast can also be a challenge for children attending school, and families have to schedule follow-up visits for cast removal. For every 100 pediatric fracture clinic appointments, 54 school days and 25 workdays are missed.

And complications with casts can require emergency department visits that put time and cost burdens on both the family and the health care system.

“Pediatric patients are often seen in the emergency department with issues related to wet or damaged casts,” Shirley said. “These complications can nearly always be addressed during normal clinic hours; however, we find that families do not want to wait or feel anxious when caring for a cast.”

Using alternatives such as braces, soft casts or splints could help reduce patient anxiety, eliminate cast complications, and reduce follow-up visits, care costs and time missed from school and work, according to the review.

These alternatives are acceptable and effective for certain fractures to the forearm, shin, foot or ankle, but are not used not as often as they could be in children, the authors said.

Parents should talk with their orthopedic surgeon about the benefits and drawbacks of the different treatment options for children with broken bones, Shirley advised.

More information

The American Academy of Pediatrics has more on children and broken bones.

SOURCE: Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, news release, Jan. 9, 2020

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Shovel That Snow, but Spare Your Back

Shovel That Snow, but Spare Your Back

SATURDAY, Feb. 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Almost everyone gets stuck shoveling snow at some point during the winter. To prevent back pain and strain, one spinal expert has some advice.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Srinivasu Kusuma, from the University of Chicago Medicine Medical Group, noted it’s all in the precautions you take before you tackle your snow-covered driveway.

  • Decide if it’s safe to shovel. If you already have back issues and don’t exercise often, or if you are prone to lightheadedness or shortness of breath, maybe you shouldn’t be shoveling. Instead, consider using a snowblower. For those with heart problems or chest pains during exercise, Kusuma urges they check with their doctor about shoveling.
  • Warm up your muscles. “Make sure to warm up before you shovel, just as you would before a workout,” Kusuma said in a university news release. Stretching and strolling can warm up your muscles. If you’re going to shovel bright and early, make sure your muscles are loose before shoveling. Don’t have time to stretch out in the a.m.? You might want to shovel in the evening then.
  • Appropriate winter gear is important. A coat, pants, hat and gloves will keep you warm in frigid weather. Wearing waterproof boots can also give you traction and prevent slips and falls, Kusuma said. Use a lightweight shovel with an adjustable handle.
  • Use proper technique. Push the snow to the side instead of picking it up. If you need to lift the snow, don’t fill the shovel more than halfway. “Bend with your knees and not your back, using your powerful leg muscles instead of core muscles,” Kusuma said. Always keep your shoulders and hips square with the shovel and avoid twisting at the waist.
  • Take your time. “People are usually in a rush to get to work or to get out the door,” Kusuma said. “I see injuries like strains, sprains and herniated disks when people try to do too much too fast.” Stretch your arms and legs every 10 to 15 minutes to stay limber. “You’re less likely to [get] hurt if you plan ahead and take breaks so your muscles stay flexible,” he noted.

More information

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has more on safe shoveling.

SOURCE: University of Chicago Medical Center, news release, January 2020

Copyright ©2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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